… Lets Talk About It!

Jack Knox Article Tedx video: Kevin Breel

Mental health means striking a balance in all aspects of your life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental... At times, you may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find your footing again.

Your personal balance will be unique, and your challenge will be to stay mentally healthy by keeping that balance. Reaching a balance is a learning process

* Some Facts about mental Health: * Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague * It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide * - Depression 8% * -Schizophrenia 1%

* Anxiety 5%: People who respond to certain situations with fear, dread or nervousness. * Include: * Post Tramautic Stress Disorder (PTSD) * Over Cumpulsive Disorder (OCD) * Social Anxiety * Specific Phobias

* Suicide is among the leading causes of death in year old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide * Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among year olds and 16% among year olds * One main reason mental illness is so crippling is that most people don’t get help * In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them

* Once depression is recognized, help can make a difference for 80% of people who are affected, allowing them to get back to their regular activities If help can make a difference for 80% of people, 4/5 people, why is it that only 20 % or 1/5 people seek help ?

Various Reasons 1. People don’t want to admit there is something wrong. They feel shameful to ask for help. 2. They believe they should be able to control the way they are feeling with will power. 3. They don’t want to be seen as weak 4. Being stigmatized by others (what is stigma? We will get to that)

Have you heard this before? You’re strong, right? You don’t need any help. No matter what comes along, you have “what it takes” to handle it yourself. Seeing your parents argue or undergo a divorce, a terrible accident, the death of someone you love– whatever – It’s best to just put on a happy face and go about your day. Don’t show your feelings. Don’t confide in anyone because they might think you are weak. Your tough, just suck it up.

* What is stigma?

Stigma When someone appears to be different than us, we may view him or her in a negative stereotyped manner. People who have identities that society values negatively are said to be stigmatized. Stigma is a reality for people with a mental illness, and they report that how others judge them is one of their greatest barriers to a complete and satisfying life. Who in society might also feel the effects of stigma ?

Video on Stigma 1 Video on Stigma 2

Myth: To treat mental illness requires prescription medication. Medication are used in some cases of mental illness. Other treatments are exercise, diet, implementing coping strategies for anxiety and stress. Support networks to help you through difficult times.

You may ask, “What causes mental illness?” A complex interplay of: genetic, biological, personality and environmental factors

Seeking Help: The first steps are always the toughest, but knowing where to look for help is a good start. 1.Make an appointment with your family doctor 2.Talk to your school counsellor 3.Share your experiences with your friends and family. Communicating with others is the first step in helping yourself.

Mental Illness: The invisible disease Physical ailment such as asthma or arthritis can be seen by looking at a person move. Mental illness is something that can go unnoticed. Often the only time you know of a persons mental illness is because they tell you. In this room there are people who are dealing with things that are compromising their mental health. Based on the stat of 20%, there should be 3 people who are experiencing some form of difficulty.

Mental Health Ad Video Clip: Mental Health

Something to keep in mind: Telling a person with depression to “Cheer Up!” or a person with anxiety to “Stop worrying so much.” is like telling a person with diabetes to simply “Lower your blood sugar.” Believing that someone can control their illness isn’t just unhelpful; it “may create additional layers of pain and shame when the person suffering fails to make themselves ‘feel better.’”

* Tourrettes Slam Poetry Video From McCurdy